Category Archives: Brewery

When it comes to Canadian Craft beer, The first company that should be on everyone’s bucket list is Steamworks Brewery. Since 1996, They have been brewing up some of the world’s best beer. They are the current holders of 14 Great American Beer Fest Awards, 4 World Beer Cup awards and holds many accolades in magazines & news publications around the globe.

Steamworks Brewery initially started with their historic Gaston brewpub location. The building they worked out of had a rare, one-of-a-kind steam heating system. This coincidence paved the way for their one-of-a-kind brewing technique, a steam generated brewery. At this time it was only read about in books but never seen in person. They are very rare indeed, as they are the only steam generated brewery in Canada! Despite this innovative approach, in part, Their success comes from the work of their mastermind CEO, Eli Gershkovitch. Read more about his craft beers at The Bro Talk.

Eli Gershkovitch was born on July 4, 1975. His journey began once he earned his law degree from the University of Toronto back in ’87. After graduating, He ventured throughout Europe where he tasted Belgium beer for his very first time. Not only did he love the taste, he was infatuated with the idea of “tank to tap” and the opportunities it held.

In Europe is where Eli Gershkovitch made the first realization that beer was his element. Once he returned to Vancouver, Eli founded a successful & profitable law practice and started his research on the craft brewery business. Once obtaining his first location in Gaston, Eli Gershkovitch was full steam ahead! The challenge for his location was not the building itself, but the moratorium on liquor licenses in Gastown. After 14 months his efforts paid off. In 1995, he opened his “one of a kind” Steamworks brewpub with a small portfolio of 6 craft beers. Read more about Eli Gershkovitch at crunchbase.com.

Eli Gershkovitch is not your traditional run of the mill CEO. Not only is he a lawyer, he is also a pilot that once soloed his single-engine Cessna 182 to Europe and back from Vancouver! While he may seem to be an unconventional businessman, competitors should not be fooled. Eli Gershkovitch is a master of business.